Spending on key cultural and international policies has been maintained in today's Draft Scottish Budget, despite a real terms cut in the Scottish Government's Budget, Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution Michael Russell said.
Mr Russell said:
"The cuts imposed by the UK Government will have a direct impact on how we support arts and culture and our wider international efforts.
"My priority has been clear - we must be smarter about how we deliver strong policy outcomes and protect those areas vital to Scotland's cultural and international presence.
"I have reluctantly reduced the scope to introduce new spending on support for innovative cultural initiatives and instead concentrated funds in our priority areas such as Creative Scotland, Gaelic and international relations.
"Crucially, I have been able to sustain the level of funding for establishing Creative Scotland as a Statutory Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB) to support, develop and promote the widest range of art, culture and creativity. It will embrace all the creative industries, to ensure our creative entrepreneurs can thrive while supporting economic recovery. I have confirmed £2.5 million for the Creative Scotland Innovation Fund bringing the total to £5 million over the period from 2009-11.
"Another key focus is on initiatives that prioritise the creation of a new generation of Gaelic speakers and promote the use of Gaelic through education, the arts and in Scottish public life generally.
"We can also continue vital work to protect Scotland's historic environment as well as preserving and ensuring access to Scotland's national archives and collections, particularly through major capital projects.
"This budget is outward looking, supporting sustainable economic growth by developing Scotland's place in Europe and the wider world. It maximises our influence within the European Union, and builds on mutually beneficial links with other countries including the US and China. Crucially it also maintains our strong commitment to International Development and Aid, and cements our relationships with development countries.
"In addition, we continue to position Scotland as a world-leading events destination and a great place to live, work, learn, visit and do business.
"In the teeth of these heavy cuts, I am determined nevertheless to achieve maximum impact for our cultural sector and our relations internationally."
The priorities for the portfolio in 2010-11 are:
- Supporting the establishment of Creative Scotland and ensuring the ongoing success of the diverse range of Scotland's cultural and creative bodies, including the national collections and national performing companies, and the continued growth of our creative industries
- Providing improved access to the National Collections and increased tourism potential through funding commitments to the Royal Museum Project and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery Project
Increasing our budget for International Development work to £9 million in 2010-11, including a minimum of £3 million ring-fenced for Malawi
- Contributing to work across the portfolio to promote diversity and equality by requiring organisations who apply for funding from the International Development fund to demonstrate how their organisations promote equality/diversity and where available, to send a copy of their equal opportunity policy
- Contributing to the Government's population growth target by attracting fresh talent from other countries to live, learn and work in Scotland
- Ensuring that the funding for Gaelic is used effectively to create a secure future for the language
The Government will bring forward the Referendum Bill in 2010 to give people a say on Scotland's future. The detailed budgetary implications of the referendum will be published in the financial memorandum accompanying the Bill